What is it like to be responsible for International Affairs?

As we are now looking for a new Board for 2026, this year’s Board will write short blog posts about their areas of responsibility and tell you a little more about what working in the Board entails.

Hey, hey, it’s Sofie here! <3

This year, I have been responsible for International Affairs in both Åbo and Vasa, and the description for my position this year has been: International affairs at ÅAU in Åbo and Vasa, international higher education policy issues, and CHARM-EU.

International affairs had not been its own area of responsibility within the Board until 2025. Before that, the Member of the Board responsible for communications also handled international affairs. This year has therefore been about finding ways forward and identifying what needs to be developed within the international sector. Among other things, I have personally worked on ways to better include international students in the student culture here at Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU).

How does the area of responsibility look like next year?

Next year, the composition of the Board will change so that international affairs and higher education policy become a joint area of responsibility, where the Board can work together with a focus on including an international perspective in advocacy work as a natural part of the operations. This is something I have also worked on extensively this year – that the continuity and development of international affairs as an area of responsibility is maintained within ÅAS in the future, as well as how different networks, working methods, and ways to increase inclusion can be developed.

But what does the person responsible for international affairs actually do?

To make it as concrete as possible, it mostly involves advocating for international students at ÅAU by maintaining contact with the students themselves, as well as with the staff at ÅAU responsible for international affairs. Maintaining these contacts is the most important part, as it is where advocacy and influence work are most effective. In addition, the role also involves representing students and maintaining contact with CHARM-EU’s student representatives.

As the person responsible for international affairs, you also work closely with the rest of the advocacy sector at the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University (ÅAS) on issues regarding education at ÅAU, as well as students’ well-being and finances. What is especially important in this area of responsibility is to keep track of the international perspective.

Everyday work involves a lot of writing, including emails and other texts. This year, for example, I have worked on an International Guide about student life at ÅAU and about the Student Union for international students, as well as a survey to help map how we can better advocate for international students.

The role also involves attending many meetings and connecting with both ÅAU staff and other actors in EU matters. A fun experience this year has been participating in a panel discussion at Europaforum, where we talked about sustainable education, had interesting guests and a full audience of people interested in EU.

Sofie Lehtovaara
Responsible for International Affairs
The Student Union of ÅAU